Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a fair bit of shaking to wake up notes of blackcurrant jelly, black raspberries, and mulberries, leading to hints of cinnamon stick, red roses, and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate is tightly knit with bold red and black fruit notes and provocative mineral sparks, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and layered. It's another WOW vintage for Spottswoode! The blend includes 9% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.
100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Jan 2025)
Pure black currants on the nose with an incredible al dente grape character. It’s almost like grape must. Undertone of ink and violets and sandalwood. Perfumed. Hints of spearmint. Full-bodied, but so well-formed and reserved. A touch of mint on the palate with dark fruits. It is very complete and reminds me of the classy Spottswoode 2001. I keep being impressed with the purity of fruit with the earthy undertones and stones. Savory. A fitting 40th anniversary wine. 90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, and 3% petit verdot. Best after 2027.
99 points, James Suckling (Nov 2023)
Slated for a September 2024 release, Spottswoode's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as more vibrant, floral and fresh than the 2020. Violet and cassis notes are accented by hints of crushed stone and pencil shavings on the nose. Hugely complex yet harmonious, this medium-bodied effort is firm but silky in feel, with a long, elegant finish. Lovely stuff.
98+ points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Jul 2024)
Moving to the Grand Vin, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a deep, dense purple color as well as a primordial nose of ripe black fruits, cassis, camphor, scorched earth, violet, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. Reminding me of a young Leoville Las Cases with its closed, dense, structured style, it's concentrated, has a pure, layered, focused style, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It needs 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 30+ years. The blend of the 2021 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot.
98+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2023)
Top Quality Store
